Story Highlights

From the dugout that sits on the third-base line at Eastchester High School, the same voice has bellowed for 50 years.

"Go right after him!" legendary coach Dom Cecere, 72, pleaded with right-hander Greg Satriale, encouraging his talented sophomore to attack the opposing hitters as the Eagles held a commanding lead recently over Pelham, Cecere's alma mater.

It's a familiar and comforting presence that has been a constant for generations of Eastchester ballplayers, influencing a half-century's worth of student-athletes who remain grateful to this day.

"There are generations of men who feel like they were raised by Dom as a second father," said Pete Annunziata, New Rochelle's baseball coach and a 1984 Eastchester graduate. "That's why whenever you hear people talk about him, they perk up and are so happy to talk about him, because he's done so much for people in that community."

Annunziata is one of five current Section 1 varsity coaches who stem from the Cecere coaching tree, joining Tuckahoe's John D'Arco, Edgemont's Mike Cozza, Hastings' Jesse Waters and Panas' Anthony Fata.

Together with 1985 grad John Doherty — a Cecere pupil who reached the big leagues — the group of former players organized the inaugural Dom Cecere tournament, which will be held next Saturday at Eastchester.

"I feel kind of awkward, but it's nice that the kids did it," Cecere said. "Each one of the guys is terrific."

Success starts early

A humble man who eschews the spotlight, Cecere took over as the Eastchester varsity coach for the 1964 season, after a year of rookie ball with the Yankees and playing as an outfielder for NYU.

"I wound up on the other side of the TV set," Cecere joked about his brief time in the professional ranks. "I couldn't hit the off-speed stuff."

Cecere achieved immediate success as the Eagles' coach, winning a league title at 22. It wasn't easy on him, though. He recalled "hanging on every pitch. I was like a yo-yo emotionally."

"It was like elite status to play for him," said D'Arco, a member of Cecere's program from 1966-68. "As a high school kid in Eastchester, baseball was king."

Over the years, Cecere has guided the Eagles to 15 league titles, six sectional titles and a regional championship in 1973. He has a career record of 705-373.

"I think there were three ties in there someplace, too," he said with a grin.

Cecere's former players credit the popularity and success of the Eastchester program to his efforts to keep baseball enjoyable.

"He's the kind of coach that made playing baseball so much fun that you would just do anything for the team, and you would do anything for the coach," Annunziata said. "It's the way he treats people. I think one of his biggest things was to make people feel great about themselves, and I think that's the best coaching strategy you can have."

'He flat-out cares'

Cecere can recall just about every starting lineup he's had in the last 50 years, but some of his most vivid memories involving his players were created off the field.

Trips with his teams to Cuba, Venezuela and Spain (among other places) stand out, as does the thrill of coaching many sons of former players.

"My dad played for him," senior center fielder John Marcin Jr. said. "He's something different. Every time you go on the field with Coach Cecere, you learn something new. It's an honor to be a part of his team. He probably has more passion than when he was younger."

It's fairly common to catch Cecere pulling aside a player from an opposing team after a game to offer words of encouragement and advice.

After all, few coaches can match his experience and wisdom.

"I feel that's our responsibility," he said. "Don't forget, a lot of people helped me along the way. So if I can do that now, I'm happy to do it."

Even as he began his major-league career with the Detroit Tigers, Doherty would return home to throw bullpen sessions and spend time with his high school coach.

He's among hundreds of former players who remain close with Cecere.

"He just flat-out cares," Doherty said. "It's as simple as that. Not just about his players, but all kids. And he wants the best for us now as adults. It's a genuine thing, and everyone feels that."

Still going strong

Cecere said the Eagles' annual game at his alma mater is always among his highlights.

"It's kind of nostalgic when I go back to Pelham. It's the same field that I played on. When I got out of school, if I would have had a chance to go back to Pelham and coach, I would have jumped on it," he said. "Pelham will always be my hometown team, but I love Eastchester. I feel very privileged that they let me do what I do."

The folks at Eastchester are glad Cecere ended up in their dugout, and that's where he intends to stay for the foreseeable future.

Retirement is the furthest thing from his mind.

"I haven't (considered it)," he said. "I guess that's kind of silly, isn't it? But I enjoy it. As long as I feel like I can be effective with the kids, I'd love to continue."